Schlüsselwörter

Perceptions held by relatives and nurses of dying people who suffer from dementia

Results of a study

Abstract

Background

Hospice care of people with dementia has to cope with completely new demands in view of an untimely loss of patient autonomy. To meet the needs of dying people who suffer from dementia the importance of company and support given by relatives and nurses has to be made clear and has to be acknowledged.

Objective

The present hermeneutic study reconstructs relatives’ and nurses’ perspectives of the last phase of life of people with dementia through reflective dialogues. For this the following questions were central:

which aspects of people with dementia dying do relatives and nurses observe?

Can they also notice so-called ‘clear moments’ in people with dementia when they are dying?

Can relatives and nurses observe a refusal of nutrition of people with dementia?

Materials and methods

Based on a semi-standardized interview guideline a qualitative data elicitation was conducted within three groups: relatives, nurses with geronto-psychiatric knowledge and nursing auxiliaries present prior to or during dying of people with dementia. A total of 26 interviews were evaluated through categorization until complete saturation of the data and 6 subcategories of psycho-social perception were analyzed more precisely.

Outcomes

Nurses and relatives can perceive so-called ‘clear moments’ in people with dementia when they are dying. Relatives and nurses also observe a refusal of nutrition. The company and support given by a caring person is of great importance for dying with dignity.

Conclusion

A first theory regarding the high importance of company and support given to dying people with dementia by a care person for dying with dignity could be established. However, this theory has to be verified through further studies.